

DEMONSTRATION 

FARMS 

hy G.H.Al/ord 

o up ermxendenx 



,CA 





G. H. ALFORD 
Of I H C Agricultural Extension Department 



Managers 



The managers deserve the credit for the work that is being done on the 
farms. They are energetic and skilful managers. Mr. W. K. Wood is man- 
ager of the Brookhaven, IVIississippi, farm, and his son, W. L. Wood, is the 
manager of the dairy department. Mr. G. W. Thomas is the manager of the 
Marion, Alabama, farm. He attends to his own large farming interests, as 
well as manages the I H C farm. Mr. G. W. Trimble is the manager of the 
Trimble, Georgia, farm. He is also vice-president and manager of the 
Hastings Farm Company. 



SOUTHERN 
IHC 

DEMONSTRATION 
FARMS 



By Gm.4LF0RD 



Published and Copyrighted 

by the 

Agricultural Extension Department 

INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER COMPANY OP NEW JERSEY 

Prop. P. G. Holden, Director 

Chicago, U S A 



Note— All or any imrtioii of this booklet may W reproduced by giving proper credit to 
the publishers. 



AE5Q 






Explanatory Note 

The International Harvester Company built a shed on each farm of suffi- 
cient size to house the farm implements and provide seating room for 300 or 
400 people. 

The Company also loaned each farm such imjjlements as are absolutely 
necessary to carry on such operations as are required to bring maximum 
results from the soil. 

In consideration of the above the owner of each farm set aside a plot of 
from 50 to 70 acres for five years to be farmed according to our instructions. 

All that is grown on the I H C Demonstration Farms belongs to the 
managers, and they ]iay all bills. 



APR 13 1914 



, 6t 



©CI.A.'J72387 



The I H C Demonstration Farms 
in the South 

Three Demonstration Farms Maintained in Mississippi, 
Alabama and Georgia for the Improve- 
ment of Southern Agriculture 

The domonstration farm movement under the direction of Dr. S. A. 
Knapp gi-ew to enormous proportions. The movement owes its (continuance 
under the direction of Hon. Bradford Knapp to the practicability of this 
method of educating farmers. Th(^re is jierhaps no other one factor or force 
working for the betterment of agricultural conditions in the South that has 
done more to promote the welfare of that section of the coimtry than 
demonstration farms. 

The object of the International Harvester Company of New Jersey in 
establishing three demonstration farms in the South is to promote the cause 
of better farming. These farms are located at Brookhaven, Mississippi; 
Marion, Alabama; and Trimble, Georgia. 




A com field on the I H C demonstration farm 
at Marion, Alabama 



The Brookhaven Farm 

Conducted for the Purpose of Demonstrating How a 

Run-Down Cotton Farm Can Be Made 

a Profitable Dairy Farm 

At Brookhaven, Mississippi, we are changing a run-down, gulhed cotton 
farm into a profitable dairy and diversified farm. An entirely new system of 
farming has been put into operation. The stumps have been removed from 
the land, better drainage has been estabhshed; improved seed has been in- 
troduced; the land is broken deeper; better methods of cultivation have been 
practiced; practically all of the feed for man and beast is now grown upon the 
farm; fairly good permanent pastures of Bermuda grass and lespedeza have 
been established; a dipping vat built; a silo built; a cream separator purchased 
and so on. 

Drainage. The soil is a sandy loam with a yellow clay subsoil. The 
lower levels of the farm were very poorly drained and as a consequence the 
orops over these portions have suffered severely during the seasons of ex- 
cessive rainfall. More than one mile of open ditches have been cut and the 
land fairly well drained. 




The velvet bean supplif ? a wealth of forage 



Water Supply. The water for all stock comes from a deep well. The 
water is raised by means of a pump and a four horse-power gasohne engine. 

Dipping Vat. This territory is infested with the cattle or Texas fever 
tick. The concrete dipping vat filled with the arsenical solution has proved 
to be the most effective method of destroying the cattle tick. Lincoln County 
furnished the material and we built the vat by the plans and specifications 
and under the direction of Dr. Chambers of the U. S. Dairy Division. The 
cattle on our farm and other farmers' cattle are dipped in this vat. 

The Silo. We have built a round stave sixty ton silo on a concrete 
foundation at a total cost of $116.35. The silo was built according to the 



I H G DEMONSTRA TION FARMS 



plans and specifications and under the personal supervision of Mr. L. A. 
Higgins of the U. S. Dairy Division. 

Separator. Practically all of the milk is sold to Whitworth Female 
College and to soda founts. The small quantity of milk sometimes unsold 
is separated and the cream sold. 

Manure. The manui-c is carefully saved and apphed with a manure 
spreader. 

Pasture. As grass is the foundation of successful dairy farming, we have 
about sixty acres in a Bermuda and lespedeza pasture. This soil is increasing 
in fertihty and we will soon be able to add crimson, burr and white clover to 
furnish some winter grazing. 

Good Seed. We realize the fact that like produces like and plant the 
most prolific seed. 










■*V^ 



'ris 



Good cattle mean prosperity 



Rotation of Crops. There are many acres on this farm that must be 
fertilized and planted in vigorous growing legumes for two or three years 
before corn, oats and other crops that should enter into a systematic rotation 
can be grown to good advantage. The most vigorous legumes will be grown 
on the poorest soil and applications of acid phosphate and gi'ound phosphate 
rock made until it is wise to practice a systematic rotation of crops on the 
entire farm. In the meantime, no crop that impoverishes the soil will be 
growTi on the same land for more than two years in succession; the crops 
gi'own will be fed to dairy cows and the manure carefully saved and applie''* 
to the poorest spots with a manure spreader. 



1 II (' DKMONSTBATION FARMS 



Legumes. Legumes cannot be expected to do well on this farm until 
the necessary humus and bacteria have been placed in the soil. However, it 
is only a matter of time and jxitient effort to grow all summer and winter 
legumes gi'own in this latitude. The soils are not typically acid soils, but an 
application of lime on a large part of the farm would improve the mechanical 
condition, promote bacterial growth and be especially useful in producing 
more favorable conditions for the growth of legumes. At present the cost of 
the ground Ume rock, the long haul and the consequent high freight rate 
prevents its use on this farm. 

Fertilizers. We are depending mainly upon deep plowing, the rota- 
tion of crops including leguminous crops, the addition of hmnus, and the 
application of barnyard maniu'e to increase the productiveness of the soil. 
We are making small applications of nitrogenous fertilizer, acid phosphate 
and ground phosphate rock. After we have deepened the soil and filled it 
full of humus, we will use only gi'ound phosphate rock in connection with 
barnvard manure. 




Hairy vetch a good crop 



Winter Legumes. Crimson clover, burr clover, the vetches and other 
winter gi-owing legumes will be planted on this farm after we have grown the 
summer legumes for several years. These winter legumes will not be i)lanttM:l 
too early in the fall so that the long, hot and often dry weather will prevent 
the germination of the seed, but early enough to get a good root system 
developed before frost. 

Feed Stuffs. Our plan is to grow plenty for home use and some to sell. 



I H C DEMONSTRATION FARMS 




D\yelling on Brookhaven, Miss., farm 



Manager's Annual Report 

To the Agricultural Extension Department, 

International Harvester Co. of New Jersey, 
Chicago, Illinois. 

Gentlemen: 

It is our pleasant duty to submit herewith our second annual report of 
the progi-ess made on our I H C Demonstration Farm near Brookhaven, 
Mississippi. 

Oats 

From October 15th to November 10th, 1912, we j^lanted 26 acres of 
bottom land in oats. By clearing this land of briars and bushes and ditching 
it was possible to raise a crop where a part of the bottom had not been used 
before. 

Expenditures 

Breaking and harrowing $15 . 50 

Planting 2.90 

Hire of teams in harvesting 10 . 00 

Thrashing 10.00 

Seed „ 40. OS 

Total «7S.48 



10 



I H C DEMONSTRATION FARMS 



Receipts 

Pasturing five cows two months on 4 acres at $1.00 $10.00 

485 bu. oats from 22 acres (valued) .62 300. 70 

$310.70 
Less expenditures 78 . 48 

$232.22 
In April following 16 acres of the above was sown in lespedeza, from 
which we made but one cutting. (However, where the land is already sodded 
and we have a late fall it is possible to get two good cuttings.) 

Receipts 
31 tons lespedeza hay (about two tons per acre), valued at $15 per 

ton (local market value) $465.00 

Expenditures 

For lespedeza seed, 32 ^u., per acre 8 bu $32.00 

Sowing 1 . 10 

Freight on seed 31 

33.41 

$431.59 
From the above 26 acres we realized a profit of $663.81, or $25.53 profit 
per acre. As the 16 acres is well sodded we expect to increase our profit 
almost double in another year. 




Harvesting oats on I H C farm 



I H C DEMONSTRATION FARMS 



11 



Corn 

We planted 15 acres in corn, from which we gathered 450 bushels corn. 
Expenditures 

Breaking land .|15 . 75 

Seed 3.00 

Planting 2 . 00 

Manure (from our barn) 46 . 00 

Hauling manure 3 . 00 

Hoe hands 6 . 20 

Cultivating 17.25 

Harvesting 8 . 75 

Total $101 .95 

Receipts 

450 bu. corn (market value), $0.80 $360.00 

Less expenditures 101 . 95 

$259.05. 




Corn grown on I H C farm 

Ensilage 

Expenditures 

Breaking land and harrowing $11 .50 

Seed corn 3.00 

Planting 1.95 

Hoe hands 2 . 50 

Cultivating 7.00 

Three men cutting corn 9 . 00 

One driver of wagon 2 . 00 



12 



I H C DEMONHTRATION FARMS 



A. E. Fender running his cutter and furnishing assistant 21.4 

hours at $1.00 per hour actual running 21 .40 

Extra help unloading 1 . 80 

Total $60.15 

Receipts 
60 tons ensilage (feeding value for dairy cattle), at $8.00 jier ton . . . $480.00 
Less expenditures 60 . 15 

Net receipts $419.85 

The above tonnage of ensilage was produced on ten acres. We are feed- 
ing 20 dairy cows about 8 tons per month, having begun feeding on November 
10th, 1913. At this rate the silo will last until April 15, 1914, or until the 
pasture is ready to gi-aze. Without charging Ensilage Account with the rent 
of land it can be seen from the above expenditure that the cost of production 
was $1 ytor ton. 




Silo on I H C farm 

Sweet Potatoes 

Expenditures 

12 bu. seed $ 8.70 

Bedding out 50 

Breaking land, etc., for planting 6.00 

Setting out slips 10 . 80 

Cultivating 3 . 50 

Harvesting 7 . 50 

Banking potatoes 1 . 25 

Total $38.25 

Receipts 

On five acres planted in sweets we harvested 303 bushels valued at 

60 cts. per bu $181 . 80 

Less expenditures 38 . 25 

Net receipts $143.55 



/ H C DEMONSTEATION FARMS 



13 



Fall Pasture. Besides our permanent pasture consisting of 60 acres, 
we planted 17 acres of thin land in velvet and soy beans for fall pasture for 
our live stock. 

Dairy Departmp:nt. Realizing that this section is especially adapted 
for the growing of grasses, and with due appreciation of the fact of the long 
period for the pastiu'ing of cows, we started to build up a dairy herd on 
August 1st, 1912, with a herd consisting of 12 cows then fresh in milk and 
four heifers. 

Daily Milk A^^D Feed Record. We have been keeping a daily milk 
and feed record since August, 1912, under the supervision of Mr. L. A. Higgins, 
of the U. S. Bureau of Animal Industry, Brookhaven Division thereof. Under 
this system every pound of milk has been recorded, every feed carefully 
weighed, and every cow tested once a month by Mr. Higgins with his Babcock 
test. Besides, we have a Babcock testing outfit for our daily use in testing 
cream in order to give the proper percentage of butter fat for a profitable 
sale, and for the pin-pose of keeping check with the creamery account in the 
sale of the surplus milk over our retail trade. But by far the most valuable 
service we receive from the records kept is the knowledge which it provides for 
the purpose of weeding out the "boarder" or "robber" class of cows. 




Lespedeza field on I H C farm, Brookhaven, Miss. 



The Barn and Silo. We have heretofore given an account of the building 
of a stave silo. This year we gave the silo an additional coat of paint both 
inside and outside with a solution of tar and creosote which served to seal the 
silo, preventing all possible air holes. We have added more stanchions to 
accommodate the increase in our herd and have given the barn frc^quent 
appUcations of whitewash. 



14 I H DEMONSTRATION FARMS 

Pasture. From April 1st, to October 1st, 1913, our pasture of 60 acres 
was ample to provide pasturage for all live stock. There was a fair growth 
which had been harvested dming the previous year. The cultivation of the 
oat crop totally destroyed the dog fennel or "bitter weed." From October 
1st to December 1st, we pastured all stock on the fodder and stalks left stand- 
ing after harvesting the crop of grain corn. In the same field the cows 
found good grazing on the 17 acres planted in velvet and soy beans. 

Water. We are continuing the use of the pump for watering our stock 
in the barnyard and find that the fresh water is much better than water from 
running streams, as the water is of even temperature and much purer, as is 
evidenced by the absence of disorders in the cows and imperfections in the milk. 




Nothing better than manure to enrich the soil 

The Herd. Our herd now consists of nineteen cows well selected after 
applying the record and milk test, five two-year-old springers and five heifer 
calves, one year old and under. The last named ten head having registered 
Jersey sires and grade Jersey dams. 

It is oiu- desire to eventually build up a pure bred herd. We therefore 
purchased on March 25th last. Mat's Eminent, a young Jersey bull, now 
eighteen months old, weighing 685 lbs. This animal was selected for pro- 
ductive qualities out of the large herd of Mr. J. A. Lee, of the famous Jersey 
settlement of Shelbyville, Ky., by Mr. L. L. Lampton, of Magnoha, who 
wanted to introduce good stock in this part of the State. We also purchased 
from Mr. Lampton, who purchased from the same source, a large type re- 
gistered Jersey cow, Koumiss Girl 6th, dropped November 10th, 1907. This 
is a cow out of the original Koumiss Girl 137556 of the famous Tormenter 
line. After she had been transported at a time three months from calving, 
she gave during December last 1,125 lbs. milk testing 7.4, or 83.25 lbs. butter 
fat. Her record was 48 lbs. milk before leaving Shelbyville, Ky. We pur- 
chased another young bull, Mona's Noble No. 117553 out of Mr. Lampton's 
herd. This animal is of a show tj'pe weighing at seven and a half months 
328 lbs. For a good healthy gi-owth we are feeding corn and ground oats 
one part each, and bran and cotton seed meal one part each, 6 lbs. daily with 
a liberal amount of lespedeza hay and corn ensilage. 



1 H C DEMONlSTliATION FARMS 



15 



Profits from Dairy 

The bulk of our milk is regularly sold to Whitworth Female College, a 
candy kitchen, several restaurants and soda fountains here in large quanti- 
ties. We handle some retail trade on the route to the above places with 
regular customers. Our average receipts per gallon is 30 cents. Our total 
monthly profits from January 1st to November 1st, 1913, is taken from 
our monthly record feed and milk sheets, a certification of which is attach- 
ed hereto as "Exhibit A" to this report and made a part hereof. The monthly 
tabulation is as follows: 
1913 

January $ 93.22 

February 100.50 

March 126.56 

April 125.07 

May 96.71 

June 107.28 

Julv 96.54 

August 105 . 85 

September 106.78 

October 111.35 

November 113 . 74 

Total for eleven months $1,183.60 

Average profit per month $107 . 60 

Above certified to by L. A. Higgins, U. S. Dairy Division. 




Velvet beans in corn, Brookhaven, Miss., farm 



16 



I H C DEMONSTEATIUN FARMS 




Dr. J. A. Kiernan, special agent of U. S. Department of Agriculture, addressing 
farmers in field of Brookhaven, Miss., I H C farm 

By-products. From the skimmed milk fresh from the separator we have 
a sufficient quantity to feed all heifer calves, and have raised ten head of 
hogs during the last eleven months. In this connection, we find that it is 
much more convenient and healthy to feed young calves in separate calf 
stanchions. We made a small shed and provided stanchions sufficient to 
accommodate the calves. In this manner each calf receives the amount 
necessary and is not disturbed by the older ones, and besides there is no 
chance for ear sucking. 

Butter Making Contest. On January last we entered a butter making 
contest conducted at the Miss. A. & M. College by the Agricultural College in 
conjunction with the U. S. Dairy Division. Three prizes were offered at 
first, viz.: (1) a registered Jersey bull; (2) a U. S. cream separator; and (3) 
an eight bottle Babcock milk tester and a milk scale. Two more prizes were 
afterwards offered by prominent Mississippians. All contestants whose 
average for the twelve monthly specimens is over 90 will receive a diploma 
in butter making. Reports are accompanied with each pound for scoring 
giving minute details of care of cream, churning, etc. After the butter is 
scored suggestions for improvement are offered by the men in charge. While 
we have no idea of making butter for the mere sale of butter, we entered the 
contest in order to improve our grade of butter for home use. It is now too 
early to give the result of the contest. At first we received a score of 92 and 
have constantly improved up to 95. We attach hereto our four last scores 
August (94), September (94.5), October (95), November (95). Our last 
score in the contest has not as yet been announced. 



I H C DEMONSTRATION FARMS 



17 



Barn Yard Manure. We have recently distributed and plowed under 
75 loads of manure for our next year's corn crop, and for the eleven past 
months the amount saved was 165 tons. 

Improvements. Since our first report we have put in at least one mile 
of ditching and have made a good start towards straightening the branch 
so as to better drain our bottom land. This work will be continued through- 
out the winter months, using all help and teams for the purpose. 
Respectfully submitted, 

W. K. WOOD, Manager. 

W. L. WOOD, A.ssistant Manager 



5 ACRES ] 

OATS FOR ] 

HOGS I 



6 ACRES 
CABBAGE 
TOMATOES 



■£]i 



HOVSG 

I I ic^l 

SWEET 
3 ^Ck.£o iJ3_|DOT'1TOE3 

JLAWN 1 



'IZZT' 

SHED 



I |ot^i' 



13 ACRES 

RAPE & OATS 
FOR HOGS 

FOLLOWED BY 
SILAGE 



4 ACRES 
COW PEAS 



2 ACRES ' 
WHEAT 



12 ACRES 



CORN AND 
VELVET BEAMS 



13 ACRES 

SOY BEANS AND 
WHIPOORWILL 
COWPEAS 



lO ACRES 

OATS FOLLOWED BY 
SWEET POTATOES S. COWPEAS 



20 ACRES 
OATS FOLLOWED BY LESPEDEZA 



SWEET 
; POTATOES 



53 ACRES 
PERMANENT PASTURE 



IHC FARM 

AT 
BROOKHAVEN,MlSS. 



1 



Marion, Alabama, Farm 

Conducted for the Purpose of Showing the Necessity 

and Value of a Systematic Rotation of 

Crops, Including Leguminous 

Crops 

This farm is on the edge of the black land belt. Large areas of this land 
are fertile, but the larger part of it has been under cultivation by negro tenants 
for from eighty to one hundred years and is in sore need of special treatment 
before satisfactory results can be obtained. 

This land is gently rolling, upland sandy soil and is well drained. We 
will gradually deepen the soil for the following reasons: first, to increase 
the water holding capacity; second, to let the water escape from the surface 
without running over the gi-ound and washing it off; third, to permit the air 
to circulate freely for a considerable depth in the soil; fourth, to seciu-e the 
crops against drouth by enabling the roots to go down to perpetual moistm-e; 
fifth, to increase the area from which plant roots may obtain food. 

Deep Soil. We realize that it is not wise to attemjit to make this shallow 
soil deep in one year by mixing seven or eight inches of subsoil with one inch 
of top soil. We are plowing this soil deeper every time it is broken and turn- 
ing under vegetable matter. We use the stalk cutter and disk harrow to cut 
the corn and cotton stalks into pieces so that they may be turned under to 
supply humus. 




Profs. P. G. Holden, J. F. Dugsar, Dr. W. E. Hinds, J. E. Waggoner, J. E. Buck, 

G. H. Alford, G. W. Thomas, the manager and others in cotton 

near dwelling on Marion, Ala., farm 

18 



I H G DEMONSTRATION FARMS 



19 



Y^ MILE 



-110 YDS. 



CORN and COWPEAS 
40 Acres 



THREE YEAR ROTATION FIELD 
CORN AND COWPEAS. OATS 

FOLLOWED BY SOY BEANS, 
COTTON AND CRIMSON CLOVER 



COTTON 

10 Acres 



"WIRE - 
FENCE 



i 



2 



DWELLING 

D 

I H C 

DEMONSTRATION 

BARN 



I HC FARM 

MARION, ALA. 
5 O ACRES 



20 



I H C DEMONSTRATION FARMS 




A good stalk of cotton 

One Horse Plo^v. We realize the fact that one of the chief enemies to 
progressive agricuhure in this section is a one horse plow. We are using 
large plows and strong teams to thoroughly pulverize this soil for from five 
to twelve inches deep. 

Fertilizer. We have no accurate experiment or exhaustive data that 
shows in detail just what fertilizer formulas must be constructed to meet the 
needs of corn, cotton, oats and leguminous crops on this soil. Mr. George 
W. Thomas, the manager of the farm, is now conducting careful and accurate 
experiments under the direction of Dr. J. F. Duggar, director of the Alabama 
experiment stations, and will settle this point in a few years. In the meantime 



/ H C DEMONSTRATION FARMS 21 

ive will practice a systematic rotation of crops includinf^ leguminous crops and 
apply acid phosphate, barnj-ard manure and some other nitrogenous fertilizers. 

We are practicing a three year rotation on this farm: first year, corn and 
cowpeas; second year, oats followed by soy beans; and third year, cotton. 

Corn. We planted corn and peas on this land in 1912. Negro tenants 
had grown cotton on it for at least fifty years. They had averaged about 
one bale of cotton to every five acres for the past five or six years. 

We cut the cotton stalks and broke the land about eight inches deep in 
February. The land was left in this shape until the latter part of April, when 
it was thoroughly disked with a disk harrow and then harrowed with two 
sections of a peg-tooth harrow until thoroughly pulverized. The corn was 
planted on a level in rows five feet apart. 

About five tons of barnyard manure, applied with a manure spreader 
just before planting time. An application of five hundred pounds of a mixture 
of one thousand pounds of acid phosphate, five hundred pounds of cotton seed 
meal and five hundred pounds of Kainit was made at the second working of the 
corn and an application of about fifty pounds of nitrate of soda was made 
when the corn was bimching to tassel. 

As soon as the corn came up to a good stand, a harrow was rim over the 
field to break the crust and destroy the grass and weeds. A cultivator was 
used for all the later cultivations to keep the surface carefully mulched and 
the weeds and grass down. The corn was cultivated until the tassels were all 
out and one bushel of cowpeas sown broadcast in the middles at the last 
working. We harvested an average of more than forty bushels per acre. 
There were several acres in the field that made as much as seventy-five 
bushels per acre. 

Oats. The corn was harvested early in October. The live stock har- 
vested the peas. The corn stalks and pea vines were cut into small pieces 
by the use of the stalk cutter and disk harrow. The land was broken with 
two large mules and a ten-inch plow in October and November, going as deep 
as we could well plow and turn imder all vegetable matter. 

The land was thoroughly disked and about two and a half bushels of oats 
planted per acre with a combination gi-ain drill and fertihzer distributor. An 
application of about four himdred pounds of 16 per cent acid phosphate was 
made per acre at planting time and about 75 pounds of nitrate of soda the 
following March. 

The oats suffered from one of the most severe droughts ever experienced 
in the State. 

The oat crop was almost a failure. The following is a statement: 

Plowing $2.00 

Fertilizer 4 . 65 

Seed 1.60 

Drilling 50 

Harvesting 40 

Hauling 50 

Threshing 2.00 

BaUng straw 1 . 00 

Total cost per acre .$12 . 65 



22 



I H C DEMONSTRATION FARMS 



Receipts 

26.5 bushels at 80 cts |21 .20 

Cost per acre 12 . 65 

Profit per acre .15 8 . 55 

The gi'ound was so dry and hard when the oats were harvested that it 
was impossible to plow or disk in soy beans. A fine crop of crab grass hay 
was harvested after the oats. 

Percheron Mares. Grade percheron mares are actively engaged in 
farm work and colt production. 

Leguminous crops are gi-own to assist in filling the soil full of humus and 
nitrogen and to obtain valuable feed for live stock. Leguminous crops 
usually mean fertile soil and fat stock. 




G. H. Alford on left; Mr. Richardson on right in cotton 

on Marion, Ala., I H C farm 

Made nearly 3 bales per acre 



Trimble, Georgia, Farm 

Conducted for the Purpose of Demonstrating the Value 
of the Most Prolific Varieties of Seed 

The soil on this farm is a sandy loam of a yellowish or sometimes grayish 
color, ranging from a few inches to ten or twelve inches in depth, depending 
upon the amount of the erosion. The sub-soil is a red clay containing an 
appreciable amount of coarse sand. The surface of the soil is gently to heavy 
rolling. However, medium size areas are found that are as level as a farmer 
would care to have land. 

No system of farming on these soils can be counted safe and sane that 
does not provide for deep plowing and the incorporation of a liberal amount 
of organic matter or humus in the soil each year. The soil on this farm is 
plowed with large plows and strong teams. 




Cotton on I H C farm, Trimble, Ga. 

We have some very fertile bottom land and some worn-out land with 
galled spots and gullies right in the middle of it. We intend to make all of 
the soil fertile by gradual and easy stages. We will practice a systematic 
rotation of crops, including leguminous crops, plant winter cover crops, turn 
under vegetable matter, put in strong terraces and apply the necessary 
fertilizer. 

Diversify Crops. We raise our own meat, grow the necessary feed- 
stuffs and grow cotton, corn, oats, cowpeas, sorghums and other crops, for 
home use and for sale, but our work on this farm consists in the main of 
producing prolific cotton, corn and oat seed. 

23 



24 



I H C DEMONSTRATJOX FAliMS 




IHC 

DEMONSTRATION 
BARN 



I H C FARM 

TRIMBLE,TROUP CO. GA. 



/ // C DEMONSTRATION FARMS 



25 




Baling the shredded corn stalks on I H C farm 

Seed Selection. We are of the opinion that next to the better and 
more thorough preparation and cultivation of the soil, the proper selection 
and pi-oduction of prolific seed is the work most needed in the Cotton Belt. 
The variety tests at the experiment stations show that of twelve of the leading 
varieties of corn tested, the difference between the highest and the lowest 
yield per acre on the same type of soil with identical cultivation and fertiliza- 
tion was 15.2 bushels at 50 cents per bushel for corn, while for cotton it was 
790 pounds of seed cotton at 3 cents per pound. This gives us a clear gain 
over the poorest of $7.60, and for cotton $23.70. We beheve that the yields 




A disk harrow cultivating cotton 



26 



I H C DEMONSTRATION FARMS 



on many farms in the Cotton Belt can be increased one-fourth by planting 
the most prolific seed instead of seed that has run out. 

Mr. D. S. Starr has charge of seed breeding work on this farm He also 
has charge of seed breeding for the Hastings Farm Company. Mr. Starr is 
one of the best posted seed breeders in the South. Mr. Starr has the following 
to say relative to the breeding of cotton on this farm: 

"We gi'ow about fifty thousand stalks of cotton from about twenty of the 
standard varieties. From these fifty thousand stalks we pick from three 
thousand each year in paper bags and subject it to the following tests: First, 
the parent stalk must have made at least one pound of seed cotton; second, 
there must not be more than one mote to the boll; third, the lint must be one 
inch long and when ginned must be from 36 to 40 per cent lint; fourth, the 
lint must be from 8 to 10 grams strong; fifth, the lint must be uniform when 
combed out — not shaped like a butterfly; sixth, the lint must have a strong 
drag; seventh, the stalk must be free from disease; eighth, the stalk must be 
very prolific and not have too heavy foliage; ninth, unless it has other very 
strong characteristics, it must be early; tenth, the progeny of this stalk or 
stalks must not show up white streaks in the field or the seed go to the oil 
mill the second year. 

If the seed from one of these stalks stand the nine first tests for the first 
year and the tenth for the second year, they are then planted in the cotton 
fields. 




Farm power house for a diversified farm 



The field is cut up by parallel roads and walks one-half acre apart making 
rows one-half acre long, and the seed from the paper sacks that stand the 
above tests are planted in checks three by four so that each stalk will have 
the same chance as the other. Poor spots in the field have stable manure or 
an extra amount of fertilizer. 



in C DEMONS TliATION FABMS 



27 




A rice field 



We usually plant the seed from about six 
hundred of the three thousand stalks selected. 
The seed from one stalk plants about six rows 
one-half acre long with thirty-five hills to row, 
making 210 hills. All the stalks selected 
look good in the field; six hundred of them 
look good in the laboratory and about one 
hundred of them when planted show up to be 
first class breeders. The seed from the pro- 
geny of these good stalks go to the general 
farm and from there many of them go to the 
oil mill, but, of course, the best are always kept. 

We are supplied with a large cotton house 
containing one hundred rooms to keep our 
different varieties of cotton separate. We 
have a small ten saw hand gin to gin the seed 
from individual stalks and quantities of cotton 
under fifty pounds. We have a twenty saw 
gin for cotton less than a bale and large gins 
for the different varieties. We have a fibre 
tester to test the strength of the staple and a 
high power magnifying glass to study diseas- 
es, a delicate pair of scales for weighing small 
quantities of cotton. 

Winter Clover Crop. Crimson clover 
was planted in the cotton on September 1st. 
On December 20th the clover was hand high. 
This clover will prevent washing, reduce 
leaching to a minimum, add nitrogen and 
humus to the soil and furnish valuable 
grazing. 




Corn on I H C farm 



Poultry Profitable in South 

Conditions for production of poultry are excellent all through the South- 
ern region of the United States because: 

1. The climate is conducive to vigor and strength of the fowls. 

2. Kafir or other sorghum grains furnish excellent feed and are adapted 
to this region. 

3. Good markets are within easy reach. 

4. Turkeys tlii'ive well and are especially profitable, as during part of 
the season they feed almost entirely on grasshoppers. 




Poultry is profitable 



We keep poultry- on each farm. There is no more profitable line of farm- 
ing in the South. 



What Tick Eradication Means 

The more import'ant losses for which the tick is responsible are as follows: 

1. Deaths from tick fever among native cattle and pure-bred cattle 
imported from the North for breeding purposes. 

2. Deaths of cattle north of the quarantine line from fever following 
the occasional accidental introduction of the tick. 

3. The temporary and permanent arrest of growth and development 
resulting from attacks of the fever. 

4. The decrease in weight and the lessened rate in putting on flesh in 
the case of beef cattle, and the decrease in the amount of milk produced by 
dairy cattle, as the result of the irritation and loss of blood occasioned by 
great numbers of ticks. 




Dipping vat on I H C farm, Brookhaven, Miss. 



5. The prevention of Southern breed(>rs from exhibiting their stock in 
the North. 

6. The decreased price that Southern cattle bring on the market on 
account of the restrictions placed upon them. 

7. The considerable expense incurred each year by the Federal Govern- 
ment and the infested states in establishing quarantine lines and enforcing 
regulations to pi-event the spread of Texas fever. 



Draft Horses and Mules 

The Agricultural Development of the South Depends 

Largely Upon the Use of Improved 

Farm Machinery 




Probably the chief cauise of poverty in the South is the one-horse breaking 
plow. The small mule and a small turning plow is a guarantee of shallow 
soil devoid of vegetable matter or humus. A shallow soil devoid of vege- 
table matter means small crops and poor farmers. The soU should be deep 
and full of hiuuus in order to increase the storage capacity for water and 
thereby enable it to hold enough water to carry the crop through the longest 
drought in the summer though hea^•ily fertihzed. We cannot plow deep or 
turn under the corn and cotton stalks, oat and pea stubble, grass and weeds 
with a one-horse plow. We are using large plows and strong teams on our 
farms. 



30 



/ // (; DEMONSTRATION FARMS 31 



What a One Crop System Means 

1. Poor soil. 

2. Small crops. 

3. The credit system. 

4. Work unevenly distributed. 

5. Injurious insects and plant diseases. 

6. Cotton money sent to other sections for farm products. 

7. Scarce money and high rates of interest. 

8. Poor people, poorly equipped farms, uncomfortable homes, bad roads, 
poorly paid teachers and preachers. 



What Diversified Farming Means 

1. Less acres in cotton. 

2. The growing of the crops necessary for home use. 

3. The growing of crops to enrich the soil. 

4. Good permanent pastures. 

5. Forage crops, principally leguminous crops. 

6. The raising of good live stock to comsume the leguminous crops grown 
to enrich the land and to make manure to still further enrich the land. 

7. Feeding crops grown to good live stock. 

8. The careful saving of barnyard manure. 

9. The distributing of farm work evenly throughout the year. 

10. Green crops growing on the land every month in the year. 

11. Reducing soil washing and leaching to the minimum. 

12. Raising of the draft horses and mules necessary for economical crop 
production. 



Feeding Beef Cattle 

Lbs. of beef 

One acre of soy beans produced 540 

One acre of cowpeas produced 327 

One acre of corn produced 203 

Grow soy beans and cowpeas to feed cattle and enrich the soil. 
Tenn. Bui. 79. 



I H C Booklets 



These booklets will 
amounts named below, 
collect. 

NAME 



Ije sent to any address upon receipt of the 
Quantity lots are sent transportation cliarges 



The Story of Bread .... 

The Creeds of Great Business Men 

Getting a Start with Alfalfa in Ihe Corn Belt 

Lecture Notes for Alfalfa Charts 

Studies in Alfalfa 

Alfalfa Sermon 

Sweet Clover 

Seed Corn 

Alfalfa in the Cotton Belt 

For Better Corn in tlie Cotton Belt 

Diversilied Farming in the Cotton Belt . 

The Boll Weevil .... 

The Cattle Tick .... 

For Better Crops in the South 

I II C Demonstration Farms in the South 

For More and Better Corn in the Northwest 

For More and Hardier Alfalfa in the Northwest 

Poultry Book 

The Golden Stream 

The Disk Harrow 

For Better Crops 

Engine Operator's Guide 

Tlie Story of Twine . 

Binder Twine Industry 

Harvest Scenes of the World 



Single Copies 
Each 


Quantities 
E:u-li 


$0 03 


$0 02 


05 


03 


02 


01 


04 


03 


04 


03 


02 


01 


04 


03 


03 


02 


02 


01 


02 


01 


04 


02 


04 


03 


02 


01 


04 


0:5 


02 


01 


02 


01 


02 


01 


02 


01 


05 


02 


04 


02 


06 


03 


03 


02 


03 


02 


20 


15 


50 


35 



"The Rag Doll" for Testing Seed Corn — 

Cloth, each 10c; per dozen, 75c. 

Paper, per dozen, 5c. 
Plans and Specifications for Farm Buildings, per plan, 5c. 

Besides the booklets named above, from time to time there will be 
issued other interesting agricultural booklets pertinent to crops in all 
parts of the United States. Future issues will treat such subjects as 
cowpeas, soy beans, peanuts, velvet beans, rice, sugar, cane, silos, 
feeds and feeding, weeds, insects, etc. 

Agricultural Extension Department 

Harvester Building 
Chicago, IlL 



32 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



111 Hill 
002 777 531 7 



1 
^ 




